博士研究员

该博士项目旨在开发“数字孪生”森林，通过遥感数据研究干旱、火灾和伐木等干扰对森林生态系统的影响。项目将利用先进的激光扫描与卫星数据，以更深入地了解森林结构及恢复情况。申请者应具备扎实的编程技能及相关研究经验。

YOUR JOB: Q-ForestLab (［会员资料链接］) is seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to work on the ERC project SPACETWIN: Digital twins for understanding forest disturbances and recovery from space. Forests worldwide are undergoing large-scale and unprecedented changes in terms of structure and species composition due to anthropogenic disturbances, climate change, and other global change drivers. Climate, disturbances and forest structure are all closely linked: changes in climate can lead directly to physical changes in forest structure and vice versa or to an anticipated increase in forest disturbances. However, it is still uncertain how forest structure is impacted by disturbances (locally) and how we can detect and monitor various levels of disturbance regimes using spaceborne satellite data (globally). This PhD position draws on the experience and resources from multiple projects such as SPACETWIN (ERC) and the Queensland Permanent Rainforest Plots (QPRP) Australia project (FWO). This project will focus on the impact of drought, fire, cyclone and logging disturbances across a range of tropical and temperate forest ecosystems. It will lead to a step-change in our ability to observe, quantify and understand forest disturbances and recovery by using time series of the most detailed structural and radiometric 3D forest models ever built: 'digital twin' forests. The project will draw upon Earth observation platforms spanning passive and active optical and microwave sensors. Within your work, you will: use 3D terrestrial laser scanning data to further develop the creation and implementation of digital twins of forests for optical and microwave radiative transfer modelling explore the near-real time inversion of remote sensing of forest disturbances from satellites use a library of digital twin forests to understand the monitoring of disturbances from satellites, applying this to important satellite missions quantifying forest structure such as ESA BIOMASS, NASA GEDI and future NASA EDGE and JAXA MOLI, with a particular focus on upscaling and uncertainties. We will use the extensive multi-scale lidar dataset of the Australian Wet Tropics as a case study. Fieldwork at these field sites may be required.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR: MSc degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field (Bioscience-Engineering, Remote Sensing, Surveying, Physics, Geosciences, Environmental Sciences, Computer Science, etc.) Fluent in programming languages such as (at least one of) R, C++ or Python Prior experience with satellite remote sensing (either optical or radar or both) and satellite data analysis Prior experience with, or a solid understanding of, radiative transfer modelling within vegetation is preferred Previous experience with (terrestrial) laser scanning and 3D modelling of forests is a plus, but not a requirement A passion for nature and forests and a keen interest in forest ecology. You might also contribute to fieldwork to collect additional field data for this project A good command of English, both written and oral.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU: We offer a full-time position as a doctoral fellow, consisting of an initial period of 12 months, which, after a positive evaluation, will be extended to a total maximum of 48 months. Your contract will start on January 1, 2027 at the earliest. The fellowship amount is 100% of the net salary of an AAP member in equal family circumstances. The individual fellowship amount is determined by Team Personnel Administration based on family status and seniority. A grant that meets the conditions and criteria of the regulations for doctoral fellowships is considered free of personal income tax. Click here for more information about our salary scales. All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, bicycle allowance and eco vouchers. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff benefits. The successful candidate will be based in Ghent. Opportunities to present your work at scientific conferences. Collaboration in a young and dynamic international scientific team. Life-work balance is important for us. Please mention your favourite animal in your motivation letter so we can check that you at least read this vacancy in full. About Q-ForestLab – ［会员资料链接］ Our lab is part of Ghent University in Belgium and studies vegetation dynamics, ecology, biogeochemistry, carbon and water cycling of terrestrial ecosystems. Q-ForestLab has a strong focus on forest ecosystems, but a broad interest in all types of terrestrial ecosystems, including tropical and temperate forests, drylands, peatlands and urban ecosystems. Our strength lies in a unique combination of methodologies, ranging from empirical in-situ observations and experiments, over 3D forest reconstructions, to process-based modelling and remote sensing.

INTERESTED?: Application submission (CV and application letter) through this google form: ［会员资料链接］ Application deadline: 15th November 2026 (midnight CEST) Notification of selection for interview: Late November Interviews (online): 21st - 23rd December 2026 (tentatively). You will receive a notification after submitting your application - please check your spam folder . As Ghent University maintains an equal opportunities and diversity policy, everyone is encouraged to apply for this position.